These days, the face of acne is changing, as more and more women in their 30’s, 40’s and even 50’s are experiencing a resurgence of the acne of their teens…and are battling breakouts as they battle the inevitability of aging. If this sounds familiar, read on to learn FOUR common adult acne triggers:

Stress. Experts say stress can lead to acne by signaling the release of cortisol, a hormone that tells your body to produce more pore-clogging oil.

Diet. Greasy foods don’t cause greasy skin, but other foods can contribute to acne, such as carbs, sugar and dairy. Any food that leads to a spike in your blood sugar, such as pasta, bread, and sweets, can trigger skin’s inflammatory response and provoke a breakout. Several studies have shown a link between dairy products and pimples, perhaps because of the hormones that are present in these foods. Buying organic may help.

Hormones. When your body experiences a spike in “male” hormones such as testosterone, oil production increases, and that can cause clogged pores where acne bacteria grows. This leads to inflammation and pimples. This male hormone spike may occur more frequently during peri-menopause, but it also happens just before your period. Women over the age of 33 are more likely to get pre-menstrual pimples than younger women are.

High Testosterone or Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). Conditions with a hormonal component, such as high testosterone levels or polycystic ovarian syndrome, are often-overlooked causes of acne. PCOS affects 5% to 10% of women, and many suffer for years without realizing they have it. If your acne is accompanied by excessive hair growth or irregular periods, talk to your doctor. If you have PCOS, and other types of hormone imbalances can often be treated with a medication such as an oral contraceptive or anti-androgen.

If you are deep in the throes of an adult acne battle, call to book a consultation appointment. We offer services, such as chemical peels and microdermabrasion that can definitely help you conquer breakouts: (732) 449-0167.